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Haas want ‘experience’ amidst Perez rumours

Team boss Guenther Steiner says Haas are “looking for experience” for their 2017 line-up as new rumours emerge linking Sergio Perez to the team.

The latest whispers in the paddock suggest that Perez could turn to Haas after entering yet another race weekend with a deal for next season.

Although Perez has spoken of his desire to remain with Force India in 2017, protracted talks – believed to relate to the length of the contract – mean nothing is certain.

Asked if Haas would be interested in Perez, Steiner told Motorsport.com: “I think if Lewis Hamilton calls up, we’re going to speak with him as well, you know? I mean, we are talking to a lot of people.

“I think a lot of things are starting to move now – everyone thought it’s over and it’s not.

“We’ll just stay and grade what is happening, you know? It’s still not the end of the season, or not the beginning of the [2017] season.”

“Anybody’s on our radar, that’s what I said before. Anybody without a contract… in F1, everybody without a contract in F1.

“We are looking for experience, that’s what we always said. The experience brought us the points this year, why would we do anything different.”

Should Perez sign with Haas that would most likely mean that Esteban Gutierrez loses his drive are Haas are expected to retain Romain Grosjean.

However, for now, Steiner is adamant Gutierrez still has a fighting chance.

“It doesn’t mean Esteban is out – we just haven’t made the decision,” he said. “We’re looking at everything and we’re just taking our time.”